10 Favorite Recent Discoveries by Tom Doak

[Mark_Fine]

Tom,
I spoke with the Grounds Chairman about this tee and voiced my concern.  I don't think he was the one behind the tee as he is a pretty smart guy and has done great things for this golf course.  It is possible that he was pushed by some other inside group.  Maybe Geoffrey knows the story behind it?  Hindsight is 20/20 but what would you have done here if push came to shove?

[Geoffrey Childs]

The new work at Fenway is in house.  I repeat- The new work at Fenway was done by Mr Alonzi, the superintendent and NOT by Gil.

I am definitely a homie when it comes to Fenway but I do not like the new 14th tee. The restoration of the meandering stream is good work in my opinion and an improvement to this already superb golf course.

Tom Doak- Fenway is STILL the best and most artistic restoration work I have ever seen even with the new 14th tee. I have seen a lot of different "restorations" and in my opinion the work at Fenway is #1 on my list. Take it off your "10 favorite recent discoveries" if you must but its your mistake if you go by that one photo.  I happen to think that Mark's photo's do the golf course a GREAT disservice. Look at Ran's course review for better views of the terrain and the new bunkers and greens expansions.

[Mark_Fine]

Geoffrey,
I took my photos down because for some reason you felt they did the golf course a disservice and that was not at all the intent.  Photos are photos but then again I am not the best photographer.  I hope you have better ones to put up then I had.
Mark

[Jonathan Cummings]

Tom - Fenway is a wonderful tract - a walking gem whose intimacy is just a half notch below a Wannamoisett.  Problem is Fenway is a busy course, close to the city and bustling with seemingly nervous energy.  

It is a personal ingredient of greatness (for me) for those old classics to be situated in quiet low key environments.  I love the feeling of getting away.

I sure know Geoff will disagree with me about Fenway and that there are a ton of exceptions to what I suggest, but…..

JC

[Geoffrey Childs]

Tom - Fenway is a wonderful tract - a walking gem whose intimacy is just a half notch below a Wannamoisett.  Problem is Fenway is a busy course, close to the city and bustling with seemingly nervous energy.  

It is a personal ingredient of greatness (for me) for those old classics to be situated in quiet low key environments.  I love the feeling of getting away.

I sure know Geoff will disagree with me about Fenway and that there are a ton of exceptions to what I suggest, but…..

JC

Jon

You have made a good point about the atmosphere at Fenway and many MET area courses.

Would you say that The Old Course has that same proximity to a city and nervous energy    Same for many links and even resorts like Pebble Beach.  I love low key quiet environments and Wannamoisett is my favorite Ross course among the MANY I've played.  That preference does not to me have anything to do with the greatness (or not) of the golf course.

[corey miller]

I am not sure it was Dr. Childs intent to have the pictures removed from the thread, what is wrong with a little discussion among those who have never seen the property

Regardless of being a self-admitted  Fenway homie, he does know the course better than anyone on this site.  The question on the stream becomes is it prefarable to pumping the water underneath.  I am told the stream was present in the old aerials.  Maybe this was the minimum formalization necessary to get the job done? I do know they needed a less expensive source of water.

As far as the feel of the course It is a country club, we all prefer golf clubs, not sure where on the course is busy other than perhaps a clogged first tee area?  Maybe the drink/dining house a little to formal (who cares I have never stopped there)? The play along a fenced property line?

What concerns me more is the lack of follow-through on the tree removal.  Far to many trees and it would seem based on the glowing reviews they have received, they should have a member mandate to get everything done.  Also, not sure why they would not have Gil Hanse continue to do the work on his recomendations or have we started tinkering already with member recomendations?

[Geoffrey Childs]

 The question on the stream becomes is it prefarable to pumping the water underneath.  I am told the stream was present in the old aerials.  Maybe this was the minimum formalization necessary to get the job done? I do know they needed a less expensive source of water.


What concerns me more is the lack of follow-through on the tree removal.  Far to many trees and it would seem based on the glowing reviews they have received, they should have a member mandate to get everything done.  Also, not sure why they would not have Gil Hanse continue to do the work on his recomendations or have we started tinkering already with member recomendations?

Corey - your take on the water issue and the stream (re)construction is well stated and in line with my opinions.

This year for the first time they are making REAL progress with the tree intrusions. The actual playing corredors are greatly improved on 7, 8, 9, 13, 16! and 18. We will see if this continues in the coming couple of winters. I hope so.

I hope your thought that member recommendations are tinkering with a great restoration already are not true.

[ed_getka]

bump

[Anthony Butler]

Woodlands:
Small greens and great bunkering. But it gets no respect in the Melbourne Sandbelt because Dr. MacKenzie did not make a stop there.

If that was the extent of it, Commonwealth would never have been so highly respected.

I seem to recall that Mackenzie did stop by Commonwealth... not that it made much difference, there's only about 3-4 holes of any consequence at CW.

Anyway, let's not get carried away here folks.... RM and KH are in their own class in Melbourne. If I am not mistaken, Tom Doak was only saying that Woodlands belongs in the same class as Victoria, Commonwealth, Yarra Yarra...

[Neil_Crafter]

Anthony
There is no evidence to suggest Mackenzie visted Commonwealth, not in an official sense anyway. Perhaps he stuck his nose in for a looksee when motoring back from somewhere else but its not recorded anywhere to my knowledge. Commonwealth is primarily the work of Charles Lane who studied the UK courses, a very interesting story about this man and his dedication to this club that desrves to be told one day. Similarly with SF 'Barney' Mann at Barwon Heads who studied the UK courses and became a disiple of James Braid. All interesting stuff.
Neil

[Shane Gurnett]

Neil, correct. No evidence of any Mackenzie visits to Commonwealth. Appartently the club was aware of his visit to Melbourne however at the time was satisfied with the progress of the course.

In recent times the Club has focused more closely on the history of the course development as detailed on the clubs website:

http://www.commonwealthgolf.com.au/guests/history.mhtml

"The first holes were laid out by the Club Professional, Mr Sam Bennett, and play commenced in March 1921. By 1926, 18 holes were in play. Charles Lane, Captain of the Club from 1923 – 1933, travelled abroad in the early 1920s studying golf course architecture, returning to put the finishing touches on greens and bunker design. Much of this work literally was carried out by Charles Lane himself, often being found stripped to the waist digging out bunkers. Then in a three year programme completed in 1938, all 18 greens were redesigned and returfed, a completely new system of greenside bunkering was implemented, many fairway bunkers were altered and new teeing grounds were constructed. This work was planned and supervised by Sloan Morpeth, Secretary/Manager of Commonwealth for 33 years, 1930 – 1962"

Sloan Morpeth clearly had a significant influence on the design during the late 30's much of which remains intact today.

[Mark_F]

Shane,

If MacKenzie had paid a visit to your fine club, do you think it would have undergone the vandalism that it has in recent times?

[James Bennett]

Shane can (and I expect will) speak for himself, but ....

It hasn't saved work by his Australian associate Alex Russel in parts of Australia (Perth, Melbourne) from change, and

It hasn't saved work by Mackenzie in the UK and the USA, including clubs that are even more prestigious than Commonwealth.

James B

[Scott Stearns]

Friars head gets a 9 BECAUSE it pretends not to care.